Is B.J. Penn the best in his weight class?

Question

I watched B.J. Penn in UFC unleashed last night, and he wants to be noted as the best ever....he is good no doubt I wouldn't say that though....what are your thoughts?

Answer 1

the only thing i see Penn lacking is his cardio

hes got amazing Ju Jitsu, flexible, strong, very tough mentally, hes got unbelievable stand up

his fight with Joe Stevenson is one of my favorite cause it uses everything about MMA, ground, Ju Jitsu, they stand and trade blows for alot of the second round

his cardio being the main question tho comes into play against Sherk whos biggest thing is he can run you down wiith his endurnace since his cardio is so strong

Answer 2

I think Urijah Faber could contest that, or Tyson Griffin.  Sean Sherk will give him a run for his money.

Penn has insane jujitsu, and his flexibility is freakish, but his conditioning is less than inspiring and I think he's a little too mellow to really be the best.

Answer 3

Well I think that sean shirk will take him at UFC 84 but no not at all is he the best by no means... he was just the best that night against joe stevenson.... my thought on a Champion is

"ANYONE CAN GET A BELT, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DEFEND IT TO BE THE CHAMPION"

So we will see if BJ is a real Champ next weekend!

Answer 4

Within the UFC he probably is. It wasn't long ago though that everyone was saying that Sean Sherk was the best. So UFC 84 should be a great matchup. As far as "is he the best lightweight in the world?" the answer is a resounding h**l NO. The UFC lightweight class is not very strong by comparison to other organizations just because Japanese MMA is more focused on the smaller fighters. If you look at a list of the top 5 Lightweight MMA fighters in the world, you'd be lucky to find one American on that list.

Answer 5

I think he has the greatest technique in his division, but not the best fighter. BJ has good hands and BJJ but has lacked cardio for years. He is going to lose to Sherk because of that exact reason come Ill Will.

Answer 6

BJ Penn has always had the skill set to be the best, but he hasn't always had the want. He's fought over his weight class for most of his career because of a lack of dedication. Now, it seems, that he is much more dedicated and focused and he is at the right weight. Matt Serra has proven, for all eternity, that everyone has a punchers chance. Skill for skill though, at 155, nobody is remotely close to BJ Penn!!

Answer 7

BJ Penn has the potential to be one of the best MMA guys out there. In the past, BJ wasted his potential by showing up to fights out of shape. The only person I see who could beat BJ right now is Sherk.

A lot of the fights BJ lost, he could've won, like the GSP fight and when he got the draw against Caol Uno.

A motivated, in shape BJ is a dangerous guy to go against. He has knock out power, excellent flexibility and takedown defense and wicked submissions.

Against Sherk, that would be a tough one to call. Sherk is definately a cardio machine, and I could see him wearing Penn down. The longer the fight goes, the better it is for Sherk to win.

Sherk is also freakishly fast. He outboxed Nick Diaz, who has a serious height and reach advantage over him. Tough fight to call.

Answer 8

BJ is widely considered the best lightweight in MMA. He's fought in higher weight classes but he's a natural lightweight.  They call him the Prodigy for a reason.  He may not be the best in any one categories of fighting but he's one of those well rounded guys that's dangerous in any position. The reason he's considered the best is because who he's beaten.  Record means nothing unless you've beaten the best.

Wins over:

Matt Hughes, Takanori Gomi, Jens Pulver, Caol Uno, Duane Ludwig, Matt Serra, Rodrigo Gracie, Din Thomas, Renzo Gracie and Joe Stevenson.

Answer 9

At present moment, I would have to say the BJ Penn IS the best LW. BJ has amazing flexibility and has strong Jiu-Jitsu. Penn has always had the skill set to be the best he just hasn't dedicated himself until recently. I don't believe that Sean "Steriod Shark" Sherk can beat him.

The LW division in the UFC is one of the most exciting right now. They have a bunch of young promising prospects i.e. Roger Huerta, Kenny Florian, Tyson Griffin, Frankie Edgar, Clay Guida, Gray Maynard, Joe Stevenson, Nate Diaz to name a few, and i'm sure i'm leaving other good fighers out. I wouldn't be surprised if one of these young fighters one day surpasses Penn.

GO HUERTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

i think his head is so big h**l explode, he is good, but i think he is about to lose

Answer 11

YUP.

He has excellent striking and the best groung game ever. He finally realized he has to train and eat right before his fights so he doesn't gas.

Sherk is in trouble.